Muhlenberg County Kentucky
News
Davis & Johnston Family Excerpts
Description
These are scattered references to a handful of related Muhlenberg County people who moved to Butler County, Kansas and settled in the vicinity of Douglass. Later some of them continued on to Oklahoma, and still later a number to southern California.
The Douglass Tribune was published weekly, on a Friday, and most of the local information is found in the local gossip column, on page three, or on the front page.
Contributor's notes are in [ ] brackets. Excerpts from the Douglass Tribune, Butler County, Kansas found at the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas.
Contributed by Robert Black. Robert Black is the great-grandson of Britton Alexander “B.A.” Davis.
Transcription
February 8, 1884, page 6
J.C. Johnston is elected trustee of Douglass Township, on February 5.
February 29, 1884, page 3, col. 2
Mrs. J.C. Johnston, Mrs. Durham, and Mrs. Cornell, of Douglass, and Mrs. A.A. Johnston and Sadie Pickett, of Augusta, called at the Tribune office yesterday to see how papers are made. We are always pleased to have the ladies call and hope soon to have a larger office, and better looking surroundings.
April 11, 1884, page 3, col. 2
James M. Johnston and wife, Mrs. Lovell and their mother, of Greenville, Muhlenberg county, Kentucky, arrived yesterday. They will locate here. Mr. Johnston and Mrs. Lovell are brother and sister of our township trustee J.C. Johnston, A.A. Johnston, of Augusta, and Mrs. T.J. Durham. J.M. Johnston and Miss Ester Cundiff were married last Sunday evening [April 5, 1884], at Greenville, Ky., and with their mother and sister immediately started for Douglass, to make their home here. A reception was given them at J.C. Johnston's last evening. Ye editor returns thanks for the very liberal donation of cake he received. [The mother was born Rebecca Price, and was widow of Henry H. Johnston of Muhlenberg Co., Kentucky.]
June 20, 1884, page 4, col. 4
J.C. Johnston serves on the finance committee for the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations at Douglass.
July 24, 1884, page 4, col. 1
James Johnston is building a new residence near Mr. Cooper's in the south-eastern part of the city.
February 20, 1885, page 3, col. 1
LOST:- In Douglass on Sunday the 15th inst., while going to the M.E. Church, a lady's gold chain and locket. The finder will please return the same to J.C. Johnston who will suitably reward him. [Notice repeated February 27 issue.]
March 6, 1885, page 3, col. 1
J.C. Johnston contemplates building a large hotel this summer upon the lots where his residence is situated.
April 3, 1885, page 5, col. 1
Mr. A.A. Johnston has purchased the rear portion of the Wilkie building formerly occupied by Wm. Lennox, and is motive it to lots in the eastern part of town, where it will be remodeled, and fixed up for a residence.
May 8, 1885, page 1, col. 3
J.C. Johnson [sic] has got his new building under good headway.
June 18, 1885, page 3, col. 1
DIED. In this city, on Saturday the 13th inst., Mrs. E.A. Blackwell. The deceased was the mother of Mrs. A.A. and Mrs. J.C. Johnston of this city. The remains were taken to Augusta for interment on Sunday, a large number of people following them to their last resting place. [This is Eliza Ann Newman, born 7 December 1825 in Greenville, Muhlenberg Co., Kentucky, daughter of Thomas Charles Newman 1800-1864 and his wife Malinda Carolina Welborn 1801-1873. Her first husband was Arthur N. Davis, who died in Muhlenberg County on 9 March 1868; her second was William Marshall Blackwell, who died after her.]
June 18, 1885, same page, col. 3
CARD OF THANKS. We join with our husbands in expressing our thanks to the citizens of Douglass for the valuable services which they rendered us in the sickness of our dear mother, and shall always feel grateful and will never forget their kindness in the hours of trouble, and especially the Ladies of the Relief Corps that accompanied us with the remains to its last resting place. By that act of love and kindness they won the esteem of all christian as well as all loyal hearts. Mrs. M.F. and S.A. Johnston. [Their birth names are Susan Adeline Davis, called “Addie,” and Mary Frances Davis, called “Fanny.” Addie was married to J.C. Johnston, and Fanny to his brother Alphus Amon Johnston.]
September 4, 1885, page 3, col. 1
T.J. Durham, A.A. Johnston, G.M. Fortune, Sam Ratliff, and another part or two are expected to start on a trip by wagon to western Kansas on Monday to see the country and enjoy camping out.
November 6, 1885, page 3, col. 5
The honor list of the school levels is published. In the High School list is Alphonso Johnston, Collie Johnston and Edward Johnston; in the Grammar School list is Johnnie Johnston; in the Intermediate division is Cora Johnston, and in the First Primary division is Annie Johnston. [All are the children of Jesse and Addie (Davis) Johnston.]
November 27, 1885, page 3, col. 1
BORN:- On Friday morning the 21st, to Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Johnston, a girl. [This is Cora Belle Johnston, who died unmarried in San Diego on 30 May 1965.]
January 1, 1886, page 3, col. 1
Ed Johnston, of the Tribune force, is spending the holidays at Elmdale, Chase county.
January 15, 1886, page 3, col. 1
The several children of Mrs. Rebecca Johnston had a glad gathering and family reunion with her last Monday evening, that being her 64th birthday. They presented her with an arm chair and many other tokens of love and devotion. [This is the widow of Henry H. Johnston, buried in Muhlenberg County, and mother of Jesse and Alphus.]
February 26, 1886, page 3, col. 1
J.C. Johnston and Judge Hutchins were among the Douglassites who attended the G.A.R. encampment at Wichita this week.
April 23, 1886, page 3, col. 2
Mrs. A.A. Johnston intends joining her husband who is in the western part of the state in a few days.
June 18, 1886, page 3, col. 1
Born - On Monday, June 14th, to Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Johnston, a boy. [This is Taylor Price Johnston who died 1959 in Oklahoma.]
July 30, 1886, page 1, col. 2
A.A. Johnston and family have returned from their claim in Finney county to remain in Douglass for a while. They report the country out there all right but at times very dull.
December 24, 1886, page 1, col. 2
J.C. Johnston has been elected post commander of the Douglass post, G.A.R., for the coming year. It is proposed to have a public installation of officers of the G.A.R. and W.R.C.
January 14, 1887, page 1, col. 3
J.C. Johnston, of this city, has secured a patent upon the car coupler which he invented. Perhaps we are not a competent judge, but it appears to us as though his invention has many advantages on anything we have ever seen. All danger from car coupling is avoided.
September 2, 1887, page 3, col. 4
BRONZE TURKEYS. The undersigned has for sale 70 or 80 pure blood and carefully bred Bronze turkeys which he is offering at $1.75 per pair; also six thoroughbred Polan-china pigs, which can be purchased at reasonable prices. B.A. Davis. Five miles north-west of Douglass. [This is Britton Alexander Davis, eldest son of Captain Arthur N. Davis.]
October 7, 1887, page 3, col. 2
The farmers of Richland township have formed an Alliance, which is in a very prosperous condition. All farmers have interests which are mutual, and these mutual interests should be looked after and protected by organization.
December 23, 1887, page 3, col. 1
B.A. Davis has a Big Stock Sale Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1887. This is your last chance to get good brood mares this year. Five and one-half miles N.W. of town. [Davis was apparently preparing to move to Stanton County, see next entry.]
February 17, 1888, page 3, col. 1
B.A. Davis and family started this week for Stanton county. [Britton Alexander Davis was born south of Greenville on 15 September 1858, the son of Arthur N. Davis and his wife Eliza Ann Newman. “Britt” left Muhlenberg County and moved to Butler Co., Kansas with his sister Mary Francis “Fanny” Davis, her husband Alphus Amon Johnston and their family in 1873. B.A. married a Quaker woman, Leonora Estella Woody, in 1880. Eventually he became a Methodist minister, and died in Wichita on 10 July 1896, and is buried in Rose Hill, Butler County, Kansas.]
March 9, 1888, page 1, col. 2
Alphonso Johnston of this city has been employed by the Santa Fe company as night operator at Augusta. [Alphonso was born south of Greenville on 18 January 1868, the son of Jesse C. Johnston and his wife Susan Adeline “Addie” Davis. Jesse “J.C.” and A.A. were brothers, and Addie and Fanny were sisters. They had married on the same day at Arthur Davis' house in 1866.]
March 23, 1888, page 1, col. 3
Alphonso Johnston, night operator for the Santa Fe at Augusta, was laid off by the strike last Saturday night and came down home, but was again called to duty Monday morning.
April 20, 1888, page 3
C.J. Johnston and Marshal [sic] Blackwell, purchased the Nicholson restaurant last Saturday and immediately took possession. The new proprietors are very worthy young men, attentive to business, accommodating and industries [sic]. They are adding to the stock of confectioneries, fruits, etc., and purpose to keep a neat, and inviting institution. They have a nicely arranged ice cream department, made fly proof and cool. They make the finest of ice cream and supply ice cold lemonade. We hope the public will accord to these young men a liberal patronage for they are deserving of it.
[C.J. Johnston is McCallister Jerome “Col” Johnston. Born 29 April 1868 in Muhlenberg County, he was the son of Fanny and A.A. Johnston, and named after his late grandfather's brother, Thomas McCallister Jerome Davis of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky, who was guardian of A.N. Davis' minor children. Edward Marshall Blackwell, born 11 May 1870 in Muhlenberg County, although younger, was his uncle. When A.N. Davis died, his widow remarried a widower named William Marshall Blackwell (1801-1887). Their only child together was Marshall Blackwell. When he came to Kansas is not known, but it could have been after his father's death 29 January 1887.]
April 27, 1888, page 3, col. 2
The graduating class from the Douglass High School includes Alphonso T. Johnston, the only boy of a class of five.
April 27, 1888, same page, col. 1
Aphonso Johnson [sic] received an appointment as station agent and operator at a station on the Santa Fe, twelve miles west of Mulvane. He entered upon his labors this week.
May 18, 1888, page 1, col. 2
Johnston & Blackwell have moved their confectionery and ice cream establishment to the Johnston building, three doors east of their former establishment.
June 8, 1888, page 1, col. 2
Johnston & Blackwell have completed their Ice Cream parlor and are now ready to supply their customers.
June 29, 1888, page 1, col. 2
A.A. Johnston and family got in from Western Kansas Tuesday morning. Mr. J. reports corn not so large there as here but looking green and flourishing.
September 14, 1888, page 1, col. 2
Ed C. Johnston, of the Tribune force, and Marshal [sic] Blackwell slipped away from their girls last Saturday evening and took the train for the East. They expect to spend several weeks in a tour through several of the eastern states. [Eventually both Ed and C.J. moved to Oklahoma. Marshall Blackwell followed Ed into the newspaper trade as his profession. Edward Johnston was the twin of Alphonso, and son of Addie (Davis) and Jesse Johnston.]
January 24, 1890, page 4, col. 1
A Mr. Johnston, of Kentucky, brother of A.A. Johnston, has been visiting in this vicinity the past week. [This is a son of Henry H. Johnston; Henry H. Johnston is buried beside A.N. Davis in Muhlenberg County.]
May 30, 1890, page 4, col. 1
Miss Effie Johnston is visiting relatives in Hutchinson. [Magnolia Effie Johnston was born 14 February 1871 in Muhlenberg County, the daughter of A.A. Johnston and his wife Fanny Davis, and the sister of “Col” Johnston.]
July 25, 1890, page 4, col. 2
C.J. Johnston, a cousin of Ed, arrived from Kansas on Tuesday evening, and is visiting the latter. If he is as good a boy as Ed, we hope he will conclude to remain with us permanently. - Oklahoma City Journal.
September 5, 1890, page 4, col. 3
Mr. B.A. Davis severely cut across the right ankle Thursday of last week, by one of those horse corn cutters which are becoming so common. The wound, Dr. McCluggpge [sic] tells us, though severe is not so bad as some have reported, and that Mr. Davis was getting along nicely last Monday. [Davis must have been in town from Stanton Co to help with the harvest.]
September 26, 1890, page 4, col. 3
B.A. Davis will conduct the Gospel service at the Y.M.C.A. rooms Sunday afternoon next. The meeting is for men only, and to them a general invitation is extended. Three-thirty is the hour.
Updated April 5, 2024.